Shaggy Inkcap - Coprinus comatus

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Alternative names
Lawyer's Wig
Description

Usually up to 10 cm tall, occasionally more. Egg shaped when young, becoming bell shaped. The young cap is white with darker flaky scales. As it becomes older it begins to turn inky (deliquesces) from the outer rim of the cap inwards.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

It occurs in meadows, woods and roadside verges

When to see it

Found from late summer to autumn

UK Status

Common and widespread in Britain.

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

  • David Nicholls
    Rutland Water, Egleton NR
    12 November 2004
  • Graham Calow
    Broughton Astley
    21 October 2012
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    28 October 2009
  • Graham Calow
    Broughton Astley
    21 October 2012
  • Lostash
    Whetstone Village
    19 October 2012

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Common names
Shaggy Inkcap, Lawyer's Wig
Species group:
Fungi
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Agaricales
Family:
Agaricaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
153
First record:
25/07/2004 (Gamble, David)
Last record:
17/11/2023 (Alton, John)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

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Latest images

Latest records

  • David Nicholls
    Burbage Wood
    07 November 2013
  • Lostash
    Whetstone Footpath to Recreational Ground
    06 May 2012
  • Alan Semper
    Harby churchyard
    09 October 2012
  • Graham Calow
    Broughton Astley
    21 October 2012
  • Lostash
    Whetstone Village
    19 October 2012
  • Lostash
    Whetstone Village
    19 October 2012
  • Alan Semper
    Harby verge
    07 October 2012
  • Alan Semper
    Harby verge
    07 October 2012
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    03 November 2012
  • Lostash
    Lutterworth Green
    28 September 2013
  • Lostash
    Enderby Rd Whetstone
    20 October 2013